CLARENVILLE, N.L. — A lot of people offered ideas to the Town of Clarenville for its financial planning for 2020.
Earlier this month the town decided to go digital for pre-budget submissions, inviting residents to participate in an on-line survey.
The response was great, according to Coun. Paul Tilley, chair of council's finance committee.
In fact, they received a record number of responses, compared to previous pre-budget consultations.
Tilley told councillors at the regular meeting of council on Tuesday night, Nov. 19, that 137 people participated in the on-line survey.
The online method was used this year because of low turnouts at past pre-budget consultations, conducted at the council chambers.
Last year the public pre-consultation meeting was broadcast on Facebook Live for people to watch from home.
This year they decided to simply offer the on-line survey.
“I want to thank the people of Clarenville who took the time to send in their responses,” he said. “This is, by far, the biggest response we’ve (ever) had."
He added that this indicates the online survey may be here to stay in future consultations.
“Rest assured, those people, their responses have been duly noted and they are considered within the budgetary process.”
Tilley says the town will also compile a “what we heard” document to be released around the same time the municipal budget is unveiled in December.
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